U.S. patent application number 10/639266 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-15 for combination lock.
Invention is credited to Tsai, Cheng-Che.
Application Number | 20040134243 10/639266 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32106734 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040134243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsai, Cheng-Che |
July 15, 2004 |
Combination lock
Abstract
An inverted U-shaped combination lock is disclosed. The lock
comprises a male locking mechanism a push ring, a hollow spindle, a
sealing ring, an abutment ring, number rings, and a spring. The
lock still can be opened without password by inserting a key into a
keyhole prior to turning an angle of 90 degrees of the key, a
ridged section of the mechanism is changed from a higher position
to a lower one for disengaging the mechanism from the lock for
subsequent removal of the mechanism. The invention also provides
means for helping user know the forgot password and means for
resetting the password.
Inventors: |
Tsai, Cheng-Che; (Yung Kang
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alan D. Kamrath
Rider Bennett, LLP
Suite 2000
333 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
32106734 |
Appl. No.: |
10/639266 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10639266 |
Aug 12, 2003 |
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10279526 |
Oct 24, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
70/30 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 37/025 20130101;
E05B 37/0031 20130101; E05B 37/0058 20130101; Y10T 70/435
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
070/030 |
International
Class: |
E05B 037/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combination lock having a shape of inverted U, comprising: a
male locking mechanism comprising cylindrical first and second
collars at both ends, each of the first and the second collars
including a cable extended therefrom, a cylindrical cavity, and an
aperture on its outer surface; a cylindrical member including a
projected shaft at one end thereof, a keyhole at the other end
thereof, and an aperture on its outer surface; a ridged section
including a plurality of aligned first grooves; a guard including a
trough on a bar at one end and an aperture on a outer surface at
the other end; and a first pin inserted into the aperture of the
second collar, the aperture of the guard, and the aperture of the
cylindrical member sequentially for fastening them together in the
cylindrical cavity of the second collar wherein the shaft is
inserted through the first grooves into the trough; a push ring
comprising two opposite projections at one side and first, second,
third, and fourth teeth around the other side wherein a gap between
two adjacent teeth is disposed at an angle of 45 degrees about an
adjacent gap; a hollow spindle comprising a top elongated second
groove, a plurality of peripheral risers at the other end, two side
first recesses adjacent the risers, an arcuate second recess
between two risers, a plurality of aligned spaced protuberances on
an outer surface, and an aperture on the outer surface adjacent one
end; a sealing ring comprising two opposite interior slots, a
spring depressible detent radially extended inside the sealing ring
to urge against the spindle, and an interior protrusion on an inner
wall moveable in the second recess; an abutment ring received at
one end of the sealing ring, the abutment ring including two
opposite wells at the other side for permitting the projections to
anchor therein after passing the sealing ring; a plurality of
number rings each comprising a plurality of numerals printed
sequentially on its outer surface, a plurality of peripheral
indentations on an inner wall, an interior first ring having a tab
projected upward to engage with one of the indentations and a
valley opposite the tab, an interior second ring, and a resilient
section fastened between the first and the second rings; a spring
in the cylindrical cavity of the first collar urged against the
second ring of the number ring proximate the first collar; and a
second pin inserted into the aperture of the first collar and the
aperture of the spindle sequentially for fastening them together,
wherein the combination lock still can be opened without its
password by inserting a key into the keyhole prior to turning an
angle of 90 degrees of the key, the ridged section is changed from
a relatively higher position to a relatively lower one for
disengaging the male locking mechanism from the combination lock
for subsequent removal of the male locking mechanism; an alignment
of the valleys can help the user know the forgot password; the
password is adapted to reset after opening the combination lock by
pushing the push ring toward one end of the combination lock until
the detent reaches the second tooth, the projections urge against
the abutment ring, and one of the indentations clears from the tab,
and turning the number rings; and a locking of the combination lock
is done by turning the sealing ring in one direction to cause the
detent to reach the third tooth, urging the spring against the push
ring for causing the detent to reach the fourth tooth, turning the
sealing ring in an opposite direction until the detent reaches the
first tooth for positioning, engaging one of the indentations with
the tab of each first ring for fastening, and inserting the male
locking mechanism through the number rings.
2. The combination lock of claim 1, wherein the number of the
number rings is four.
3. The combination lock of claim 1, wherein the numerals on the
number ring comprise 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
4. A combination lock having a shape of inverted U, comprising: a
male locking mechanism comprising cylindrical first and second
collars at both ends, each of the first and the second collars
including a cable extended therefrom, a cylindrical cavity, and an
aperture on its outer surface; a cylindrical member including a
projected shaft at one end thereof, a keyhole at the other end
thereof, and an aperture on its outer surface; a ridged section
including a plurality of aligned first grooves; a guard including a
trough on a bar at one end and an aperture on a outer surface at
the other end; and a first pin inserted into the aperture of the
second collar, the aperture of the guard, and the aperture of the
cylindrical member sequentially for fastening them together in the
cylindrical cavity of the second collar wherein the shaft is
inserted through the first grooves into the trough; a push ring
comprising two opposite projections at one side and first, second,
third, and fourth teeth around the other side wherein a gap between
two adjacent teeth is disposed at an angle of 45 degrees about an
adjacent gap; a hollow spindle comprising a top elongated second
groove, a plurality of peripheral risers at the other end, two side
first recesses adjacent the risers, an arcuate second recess
between two risers, a plurality of aligned spaced protuberances on
an outer surface, and an aperture on the outer surface adjacent one
end; a sealing ring comprising two opposite interior slots, a
spring depressible detent radially extended inside the sealing ring
to urge against the spindle, and an interior protrusion on an inner
wall moveable in the second recess; an abutment ring received at
one end of the sealing ring, the abutment ring including two
opposite wells at the other side for permitting the projections to
anchor therein after passing the sealing ring; a plurality of
number rings each comprising a plurality of numerals printed
sequentially on its outer surface, a plurality of peripheral
indentations on an inner wall, an interior first ring having a tab
projected upward to engage with one of the indentations and a
valley opposite the tab, an interior second ring, a resilient
section fastened between the first and the second rings, and an
inner ring; a spring in the cylindrical cavity of the first collar
urged against the second ring of the number ring proximate the
first collar; and a second pin inserted into the aperture of the
first collar and the aperture of the spindle sequentially for
fastening them together, wherein the combination lock still can be
opened without its password by inserting a key into the keyhole
prior to turning an angle of 90 degrees of the key, the ridged
section is changed from a relatively higher position to a
relatively lower one for disengaging the male locking mechanism
from the combination lock for subsequent removal of the male
locking mechanism; an alignment of the valleys can help the user
know the forgot password; the password is adapted to reset after
opening the combination lock by pushing the push ring toward one
end of the combination lock until the detent reaches the second
tooth, the projections urge against the abutment ring, and one of
the indentations clears from the tab, and turning the number rings;
and a locking of the combination lock is done by turning the
sealing ring in one direction to cause the detent to reach the
third tooth, urging the spring against the push ring for causing
the detent to reach the fourth tooth, turning the sealing ring in
an opposite direction until the detent reaches the first tooth for
positioning, engaging one of the indentations with the tab of each
first ring for fastening, and inserting the male locking mechanism
through the number rings.
5. The combination lock of claim 4, wherein the numerals on the
number ring comprise 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
6. The combination lock of claim 4, wherein the number of the
number rings is two.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/279,526, filed Oct. 24, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to combination locks and more
particularly to such a combination lock which still can be opened
even when a password is forgot.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Combination locks are well known for many years. One
drawback of the prior combination lock is that a user cannot open
the combination lock once a password thereof is forgot. Thus, it is
desirable to provide an improved combination lock which still can
be opened even when a password is forgot in order to overcome the
above drawback of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
inverted U-shaped combination lock, comprising a male locking
mechanism comprising cylindrical first and second collars at both
ends, each of the first and the second collars including a cable
extended therefrom, a cylindrical cavity, and an aperture on its
outer surface; a cylindrical member including a projected shaft at
one end thereof, a keyhole at the other end thereof, and an
aperture on its outer surface; a ridged section including a
plurality of aligned first grooves; a guard including a trough on a
bar at one end and an aperture on a outer surface at the other end;
and a first pin inserted into the aperture of the second collar,
the aperture of the guard, and the aperture of the cylindrical
member sequentially for fastening them together in the cylindrical
cavity of the second collar wherein the shaft is inserted through
the first grooves into the trough; a push ring comprising two
opposite projections at one side and first, second, third, and
fourth teeth around the other side wherein a gap between two
adjacent teeth is disposed at an angle of 45 degrees about an
adjacent gap; a hollow spindle comprising a top elongated second
groove, a plurality of peripheral risers at the other end, two side
first recesses adjacent the risers, an arcuate second recess
between two risers, a plurality of aligned spaced protuberances on
an outer surface, and an aperture on the outer surface adjacent one
end; a sealing ring comprising two opposite interior slots, a
spring depressible detent radially extended inside the sealing ring
to urge against the spindle, and an interior protrusion on an inner
wall moveable in the second recess; an abutment ring received at
one end of the sealing ring, the abutment ring including two
opposite wells at the other side for permitting the projections to
anchor therein after passing the sealing ring; a plurality of
number rings each comprising a plurality of numerals printed
sequentially on its outer surface, a plurality of peripheral
indentations on an inner wall, an interior first ring having a tab
projected upward to engage with one of the indentations and a
valley opposite the tab, an interior second ring, and a resilient
section fastened between the first and the second rings; a spring
in the cylindrical cavity of the first collar urged against the
second ring of the number ring proximate the first collar; and a
second pin inserted into the aperture of the first collar and the
aperture of the spindle sequentially for fastening them together,
wherein the combination lock still can be opened without its
password by inserting a key into the keyhole prior to turning an
angle of 90 degrees of the key, the ridged section is changed from
a relatively higher position to a relatively lower one for
disengaging the male locking mechanism from the combination lock
for subsequent removal of the male locking mechanism; an alignment
of the valleys can help the user know the forgot password; the
password is adapted to reset after opening the combination lock by
pushing the push ring toward one end of the combination lock until
the detent reaches the second tooth, the projections urge against
the abutment ring, and one of the indentations clears from the tab,
and turning the number rings; and a locking of the combination lock
is done by turning the sealing ring in one direction to cause the
detent to reach the third tooth, urging the spring against the push
ring for causing the detent to reach the fourth tooth, turning the
sealing ring in an opposite direction until the detent reaches the
first tooth for positioning, engaging one of the indentations with
the tab of each first ring for fastening, and inserting the male
locking mechanism through the number rings.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
inverted U-shaped combination lock, comprising a male locking
mechanism comprising cylindrical first and second collars at both
ends, each of the first and the second collars including a cable
extended therefrom, a cylindrical cavity, and an aperture on its
outer surface; a cylindrical member including a projected shaft at
one end thereof, a keyhole at the other end thereof, and an
aperture on its outer surface; a ridged section including a
plurality of aligned first grooves; a guard including a trough on a
bar at one end and an aperture on a outer surface at the other end;
and a first pin inserted into the aperture of the second collar,
the aperture of the guard, and the aperture of the cylindrical
member sequentially for fastening them together in the cylindrical
cavity of the second collar wherein the shaft is inserted through
the first grooves into the trough; a push ring comprising two
opposite projections at one side and first, second, third, and
fourth teeth around the other side wherein a gap between two
adjacent teeth is disposed at an angle of 45 degrees about an
adjacent gap; a hollow spindle comprising a top elongated second
groove, a plurality of peripheral risers at the other end, two side
first recesses adjacent the risers, an arcuate second recess
between two risers, a plurality of aligned spaced protuberances on
an outer surface, and an aperture on the outer surface adjacent one
end; a sealing ring comprising two opposite interior slots, a
spring depressible detent radially extended inside the sealing ring
to urge against the spindle, and an interior protrusion on an inner
wall moveable in the second recess; an abutment ring received at
one end of the sealing ring, the abutment ring including two
opposite wells at the other side for permitting the projections to
anchor therein after passing the sealing ring; a plurality of
number rings each comprising a plurality of numerals printed
sequentially on its outer surface, a plurality of peripheral
indentations on an inner wall, an interior first ring having a tab
projected upward to engage with one of the indentations and a
valley opposite the tab, an interior second ring, a resilient
section fastened between the first and the second rings, and an
inner ring; a spring in the cylindrical cavity of the first collar
urged against the second ring of the number ring proximate the
first collar; and a second pin inserted into the aperture of the
first collar and the aperture of the spindle sequentially for
fastening them together, wherein the combination lock still can be
opened without its password by inserting a key into the keyhole
prior to turning an angle of 90 degrees of the key, the ridged
section is changed from a relatively higher position to a
relatively lower one for disengaging the male locking mechanism
from the combination lock for subsequent removal of the male
locking mechanism; an alignment of the valleys can help the user
know the forgot password; the password is adapted to reset after
opening the combination lock by pushing the push ring toward one
end of the combination lock until the detent reaches the second
tooth, the projections urge against the abutment ring, and one of
the indentations clears from the tab, and turning the number rings;
and a locking of the combination lock is done by turning the
sealing ring in one direction to cause the detent to reach the
third tooth, urging the spring against the push ring for causing
the detent to reach the fourth tooth, turning the sealing ring in
an opposite direction until the detent reaches the first tooth for
positioning, engaging one of the indentations with the tab of each
first ring for fastening, and inserting the male locking mechanism
through the number rings.
[0008] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment
of combination lock according to the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view in part section of 11 shown in FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled
combination lock;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of
FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an assembled view of the combination lock with a
key inserted;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second preferred embodiment
of combination lock according to the invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled
combination lock of FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an assembled view of the combination lock of FIG.
6;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating
a male locking mechanism in a higher position when a key is
inserted into but yet turned;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 where the male locking
mechanism is in a lower position when the inserted key has
turned;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the combination lock
where the male locking mechanism has been removed;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of
FIG. 11; and
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the combination lock
illustrating removal of the male locking mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 in conjunction with FIGS. 9 to 13,
there is shown an inverted U-shaped combination lock 8 constructed
in accordance with a first preferred embodiment the invention. The
combination lock 8 comprises a cylindrical first collar 11 and a
cylindrical second collar 12 at both ends. Each of the first and
the second collars 11 and 12 is attached to a cable or the like 1.
A male locking mechanism 2 is attached to a cylindrical cavity 121
of the second collar 12. A cylindrical member 21 comprises a
projected shaft 211 at one end inserted through a plurality of
aligned grooves 221 of a ridged section 22 into a cut trough 231 of
a guard 23. As such the cylindrical member 21, the ridged section
22, and the guard 23 together have one ends held in the cylindrical
cavity 121. Moreover, a pin 24 is inserted into an aperture 122 of
the second collar 12, an aperture 232 of the guard 23, and an
aperture 212 of the cylindrical member 21 sequentially for
fastening them together (FIG. 3).
[0023] A plurality of number rings (four are shown) 6 are provided.
Each number ring 6 has a plurality of numerals (e.g., 0 to 9)
printed sequentially on its peripheral surface. A hollow spindle 4
comprises a top elongated groove 41 and two side recesses 42 to
allow two opposite projections 31 of a push ring 3 to pass through
into two opposite interior slots 51 of a sealing ring 5. Next, a
turning about 90 degrees of the sealing ring 5 causes the push ring
3 and the sealing ring 5 to be locked together. Four teeth 32 to 35
are formed around one end of the push ring 3 in which a gap between
two adjacent teeth is disposed at an angle of 45 degrees about an
adjacent gap. An elastic member 521 is urged against a detent 52
toward an aperture 53 tapered toward inside of the sealing ring 5
in which the detent 52 is in turn urged against the spindle 4. A
peripheral flat 54 having bent sides is inserted through two
parallel indentations 55 to press on an outer end of the detent 52
for fastening the detent 52. A plurality of peripheral risers 43
and an arcuate recess 44 are formed at one end of the spindle 4.
The recess 44 is adapted to allow an interior protrusion 57 on an
inner wall 56 of the sealing ring 5 to move therein. In other
words, the protrusion 57 can only move from one end of the recess
44 to the other end thereof or vice versa. A plurality of aligned
spaced protuberances 45 are formed on an outer surface of the
spindle 4. An abutment ring 58 is formed at the other end of the
sealing ring 5. Two opposite wells 581 are provided on an end of
the abutment ring 58 for permitting the projections 31 to anchor
therein after passing the sealing ring 5. A spring 7 is anchored in
a cylindrical cavity 111 of the first collar 11. The number ring 6
comprises a cylindrical cavity 61, a first ring 63 received in the
cylindrical cavity 61, the first ring 63 having a tooth 631
projected upward to engage with one of a plurality of peripheral
indentations 62 inside the number ring 6, a resilient section 65,
and a second ring 64 including a recessed portion 641 at one end
with the resilient section 65 anchored therein and a raised portion
642 at the other end sandwiched between any two adjacent
protuberances 45 and being adapted to anchor the resilient section
65 at the other end. Both the first and the second rings 63 and 64
are anchored inside the number ring 6 (i.e., in the cylindrical
cavity 61). One end of the spindle 4 is positioned in the
cylindrical cavity 111. Finally, a pin 47 is inserted into an
aperture 112 of the first collar 11 and an aperture 46 of the
spindle 4 sequentially for fastening them together.
[0024] Following is a description of opening the combination lock 8
in a case that a user forgets the password. In FIG. 5, a key 9 is
inserted into a keyhole of the cylindrical member 21 prior to
turning a predetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees). As such, the
ridged section 22 is changed from a higher position (see FIG. 9) to
a lower position (see FIG. 10). As a result, the user can remove
the male locking mechanism 2 from the combination lock 8 for
opening the combination lock 8 as indicated by phantom lines of
FIG. 13. The user then has to align valleys 632 of the first rings
63 by adjusting (FIG. 12). This can help the user know the forgot
password of the combination lock 8.
[0025] Following is a description of changing the password of the
combination lock 8 after opening it. First, push the push ring 3
toward left as indicated by arrow in FIG. 11 until the detent 52
reaches the second tooth 33 and the projections 31 urge against the
abutment ring 58. As such, one of the indentations 62 clears from
the tooth 631. Next, a user can turn the number rings 6 to reset
the password. After finishing the setting, turn the sealing ring 5
to cause the detent 52 to reach the third tooth 34. The spring 7
then is urged against the push ring 3 for causing the detent 52 to
reach the fourth tooth 35. Next, turn the sealing ring 5 in an
opposite direction until the detent 52 reaches the first tooth 32
for positioning. Again, one of the indentations 62 is engaged with
the tooth 631 of each first ring 63 again for fastening. Next,
insert the male locking mechanism 2 through the number rings 6. At
this time, a user can lock the combination lock 8 again.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a combination lock 8
constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment the
invention is shown. The second preferred embodiment substantially
has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The
differences between the first and the second preferred embodiments,
i.e., the characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are
detailed below. The number of the number ring 6 is two. Also, an
inner ring 6' is provided within the number ring 6 for
stabilization purpose.
[0027] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by
means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and
variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set
forth in the claims.
* * * * *